describe the town planning of Harappa civilization
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Town Planning of Harappa Civilization
The twin cities of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa were center of all activities. Both cities were amile square, with defensive outer walls. Cities were divided into lower dwellings and the Citadelhoused important buildings. In the excavated sites, the Harappan settlements were found built of mud bricks, burnt bricks and chiselled stones. Mud Bricks were largely used at Harappa,Kalibangan, Lothal and Banawali besides burnt bricks. The size of bricks remained the sameeverywhere. The ratio of brick size was 1:2:4. Other fortified sites of this culture were atSutkogendor, AliMurad, GhaziShah and Daburkot etc.A remarkable feature of the large urban settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization was theregularity and order in the town planning and consideration given to the civic amenities, thesewerage system and drainage. The main streets of the cities at both Harappa and Moenjodarowere generally oriented from north to south, with connecting streets running east to west, Thestreets of major cities such as Mohenjo-daro and Harappa were also laid out in a perfect gridpattern, The street layout showed an understanding of the basic principles of traffic, withrounded corners to allow the turning of carts easily. These streets divided the city into 12 blocks.Except for the west-central blocks, the basic unit of city planning was the individual house.Bricks of fixed sizes were used for building while stone and wood were also used. Buildings inthe lower area were rather monotonous, being mainly functional rather than decorative.The average house in these ancient cities appeared to have stood at least two storeys high assuggested by the thickness of the enclosing wall and by remnants of wide staircases where thesteps and risers still survive to considerable height from the occupation level on the ground floor.The houses were built on plinths rising above the street level with flights of steps recessed in thewall at the front door. The doors of the houses usually opened on to the side lanes rather than onto the main streets.The existence of a theocratic and authoritarian society indicated by the presence of large andwell-fortified citadels in each of the capital cities. These citadels always face west which servedas sanctuaries for the cities` populations in times of attack and as community centers in times of peace. The citadel at Harappa measuring 1400 ft. x 600 ft. on mound 40 ft. high which facedfoundation with brick embankment 45 ft. thick. The citadel at Mahenjo-daro included a verylarge building that may have been a palace.At Mohenjo-daro, one of the most intriguing structure is the presence of a remarkable complexof buildings centering on a great bath, "built of very fine brickwork," It consists of a largerectangular pool two meters deep with steps leading into it from the narrower ends. At the foot of the stairs is a small ledge with a brick edging that extends the entire width of the pool, such thatpeople coming down the stairs could move along this ledge without actually stepping into thepool itself. The elaborately decorated bath at Mahenjo-daro was surrounded by a cloister, whichopened onto many small rooms that may have housed priests of the
the great bath
The great bath at Mohenjo-daro had waterproofed with bitumen. Brick colonnades werediscovered on the eastern, northern and southern edges. The preserved columns have steppededges that may have been used to hold wooden screens or window frames. Two large doors leadinto the complex from the south and other entrance was from the directions of north and east. Aseries of rooms are located along the eastern edge of the building and in one room is a well thatmay have supplied some of the water needed to fill the tank. Rainwater also may have beencollected for this purposes, but no inlet drains are seen.
Granaries:
Large granaries were located near each of the citadels, which suggest that the statestored grain for ceremonial purposes, times of shortage, and possibly the regulation of grainproduction and sale.
Drainage system:
The Indus civilization had an elaborate sanitary and drainage system, the hallmark of ancientIndus cities., The Authorities maintained a highly efficient drainage system. Each and everyhouse had a connection with the main drain. These even had inspection holes for maintenance.The conduits to the main drains running through the middle of the streets below pavement leveland covered with flat stones and sturdy tile bricks. The covered drain was connected to the largersewerage outlets which finally led the dirty water outside the populated areas. The urban planfound in these cities included the world`s first urban sanitation systems. The elaborate brick-lined drainage system for the removal of rainwater is of unparalleled engineering skill.
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Town planning is the unique feature of Indus valley civilization. Their town planning proves that they lived a highly civilized and developed life. Indus people were the first to build planned cities with scientific drainage system